Michigan Girls Travel for Rush Select ID Camp

Created on Wednesday, 16 January 2013 11:35

While many members of the Michigan Rush were still enjoying their holiday break, seven players from the Northville Rush U13 Girls Nike team traveled to Atlanta, GA to participate in a 4-day 'ID camp' as an extension of the Rush Select Program. Michigan players Annika Dahlmann, Delaney Weedmark, Sophie Mapes, Mikaela Sanson, Nikki May, Courtney Gozdor and Morgan Kloosterman were a part of a group of over 50 players who attended the camp from across the country, representing 13 different branches of the Rush.

U13 Girls Rush Select Head Coach Russell Finch, who is also the Technical Director of Georgia Rush, first identified these players at Rush Fest in Virginia Beach last summer. The players were then invited to attend the ID Camp from January 2-6 in Atlanta, GA to showcase their talent and vie for a place on the National Rush Select Team, where they will be allowed the opportunity compete alongside other top players from the Rush in elite tournaments and events around the country throughout the year.

The ID camp got underway with pick-up games inside the Stars Soccer Complex on day 1, while the players and coaches waited for everyone to arrive before formal introductions were made. Day 2 began with a functional training session in the morning, before the players were broken into teams to play three games against the Georgia 98 and 99 ODP teams. The day concluded with post-game meetings and dinner in the player's lounge of the complex. Day 3 saw the players compete in a small-sided tournament in the morning before a classroom session with Colorado Rush Technical Director Erik Bushey. The players then competed in an inner-squad scrimmage and a game against the United Futbol Academy U13 girls team- arguably the age group's top club-team in the state. On Day 4, the players competed in a small-sided tournament, bonded through a Q&A team-building session, had a functional training session, competed in more inner-squad games, and ended the day with player interviews and a team dinner before the event's closing ceremonies.

Michigan Rush is extremely proud of all seven of these players for being invited to attend the ID camp and for representing our club in Atlanta! We would like to extend congratulations to Nikki May, Courtney Gozdor and Annika Dahlmann for being selected to the pool as alternates and to Morgan Kloosterman for being invited to travel with the squad to compete in the Del Sol President's Day Tournament in Phoenix, AZ next month! Good luck Mo!

It is fantastic to see our players continue to reap the benefits of playing for the Rush, which has the ability to offer unique experiences such as this to its players. Playing for the Rush opens doors and provides opportunities and experiences in a way that no other club in the country can! Go Rush!